12/25/2016

Weekly Update 12/25//2016

I feel as if I've spent the entire week in the kitchen, not my favorite place to be. And that's really not true, because I baked some cookies weeks ago and froze them, and I made others on different days. Even so, I was in there much more than I like to be. Without owning an electric mixer, a rolling pin, or measuring spoons, and having only one measuring cup, one small cookie sheet, and not a lot of counter space, I think I did quite well. I made five different kinds, and packed them up as gifts. I saved some (ok, a lot) for myself. I won't have to do this again until next year. And then, only if I forget how much I hate doing this – Publix always has Russell Stovers for buy on get one free, and that does just fine.  

on your mark...

...get set...

...GO!!!

I met Donna at a restaurant in Savannah that we've been wanting to go to for quite some time – The Tap House. On Wednesday, the burgers are half price, so we wanted to try them out to see if they were any good. They were! In fact, they were so good that I went back again Friday night with Kay and Adam, and paid full price. This place is a keeper. The only downside is that Ben Roethlisberger is a part owner in the chain, and while I ate, I had to face a number 7 jersey. Other than that, everything was grand. After lunch, I went to Leopold's for my holiday fix of eggnog ice cream. That was the perfect dessert!

In the evening, since I hadn't put my pajamas on just yet, I went driving around the neighborhood a little. There was an amazing display not far from me that I visited a year or so ago with Charles and Sylvia, and it was even bigger this year. The house is on the corner, so they have a lot of curb area, and they use every bit of it! There is a box out front for donations to St Jude's, and I like that. I don't know what this family pays for electric bills in December, but it must be enormous. It reminded me very much of the display that Debbie and Kevin Cole used to have each year in Rochester. I always liked to see those lights. 

I'm getting used to the car little by little. This week, I taught myself how to set the buttons for Sirius radio. I have a 3-month free trial with the car. I know I'm going to continue to pay, because I love it - I wish I didn't know how good it is. This is what everything is now – you buy a tv for a price that's not too bad, and then pay a huge fee every month to watch. You get a phone that can do things no phone ever did before – take pictures, get email, pay bills – and then pay a huge fee every month to use it. And now, I'm going to be paying to listen to the radio in the car, just so I don't have to hear ads, and I can be selective about what I listen to – so far, I've chosen channels that play 40s music, and 50s music, NPR, NFL. I'm sure I'll find others.

I wasn't going to go to Coach's on Saturday, because I didn't have high hopes for a good game, but at half time, although the Bills were behind, I decided to go. What a great second half! I couldn't believe it when they took the lead with only a minute to go. I danced out of there, a huge smile on my face. I didn't think there would be any way they could lose this game. Well, I was wrong. I had to listen to the end of the game on the NFL station in my car while sitting in the parking lot a Publix. What a heart break! And that's the end of the season for the Bills – again this year, no playoffs. I hope whoever they get for a head coach next year (and surely they must fire the Ryan brothers, and maybe Carpenter, too), will do better. I've got my slim hopes for any post-season play pinned to the Lions.

Sunday hardly seemed like Sunday, since most of the games were played already. I very nearly began to launder the sheets on my bed (a Monday chore) before I realized that I could put that off another day. I opened the few presents that were under my tree, and ate KC barbecue ribs for my holiday meal. The weather was delightful, and I was downtown for a short time to wander around Jones Street to look at the wonderful wreathes, swags and red bows on the townhouses and in the squares. It is all so lovely.

Audrey, me, and the gifts

Merry Christmas to all! And a wonderful 2017!

12/18/2016

Weekly Update 12/18//2016

I spent a lot of time in the car this week, trying out new buttons and things that are not what I'm used to. Being technologically challenged, this was difficult. I even took it back to the dealer one day, because I couldn't figure out cruise control (and I NEED cruise control). It was very simple, and once it was explained to me, I got it. I drove one day in the rain, to see if the wipers would be easy – they were – and to test the defrost. I drove in the night to see how the lights worked – just fine, but I'm confused as to why I have no less than four settings; isn't ON or OFF good enough? That back up screen is going to be pretty handy, but I don't think I'll ever be able to back up without looking out the back window first – and that's not a bad habit to keep. I'm enjoying listing to my itune play lists through the phone or ipod – I doubt that I'll keep Sirius radio when the free trial is at an end in three months. I don't have a cd player in the new car, but I like listening to the phone. I'm still terrified to drive, but the car is nice.

I attended a lecture at DH one evening. That was my first chance to try to parallel park in the new car. I did ok, but it wasn't a very tight spot. I don't want to have to do that often. The lecture was very good, about slavery in Savannah in the antebellum era. Good people, who thought well of themselves, who were kind and caring, owned other people and were astounded when the Civil War came and they discovered that their enslaved people were not happy. 

Instead of playing Rummikub this week, June and I went out to visit Jimmy in the Rehab facility. Then we went out to dinner at a new place that was supposed to have good barbecue. It was ok. After that, we drove around a little to see if we could find some good outdoor decorations in some of the posh neighborhoods in Savannah. There were some, but many were not lit up. How can they do that? Why have all those balloons, and lights, and trees, and wreathes, and then not light them up? Isn't that the point? So, while that was disappointing, it was a nice change from the Wednesday routine. When I returned from a long day out and about, there was a big box at my front door – Dave & Kerry had sent Kansas City barbecue! I'll keep it all frozen in my freezer until after the holidays, and then enjoy a nice treat!

The Lunch bunch met for lunch on Thursday. Each year, the December “meeting” is an Ugly Sweater event. Some of the sweaters are not at all ugly, but it was fun to see what everyone wore. Mine became more ugly, and I dribbled shrimp and grits down the front of it.  

I worked hard on my Christmas cards all week. Each day, I would do something: printed labels, signed the cards, added letters where I needed to, sealed the envelopes, recorded the names and addresses on my spreadsheet. Finally, I was ready and I put the stack by the front door so that I could take them to the post office on my trip out. Well, you need to have stamps on them, or they won't go. All that work, and I forgot stamps! Luckily I noticed before I actually put them all in the mailbox.

The Bonaventure Historical Society board of directors Christmas dinner was at the Assistant Directors house on Thursday evening. It was way out on the southside, a part of Savannah I rarely go to. In the evening. When it's dark. I tried to get the google maps from my phone to the screen on the dash board of the new car, but couldn't get it. I was able to get close to where I imagined James' house was, and then followed the instructions on the phone. I had less trouble driving home.

 Friday of course was DH and The 90. Saturday was BC. And Sunday was Coach's to watch the Bills. Some things remain the same, even if it a holiday season.

12/11/2016

Weekly Update 12/11//2016

Big Happening this week – I BOUGHT A NEW CAR!

I knew it was time. I had taken the VW to the doctor last week, who told me that it would cost over $4,000 just to fix the things that were wrong with her. I feared that, because she's 12 years old, soon I would need new brakes, a new clutch, and maybe even I new transmission. It was time. I had been doing some research on line and had been asking people I trust and respect for opinions about models. Tuesday, although I didn't want to, I set out along Abercorn Street to all the dealership to look at cars. The Ford dealer didn't have any 2017s; the Nissan place also only had 2016s (but they tried really really hard to sell me a car I didn't want). Then I went to the Hyundai dealership – they had exactly what I was looking for. In fact they had many 2017 Elantras on the lot with various options and in several colors. I told the salesperson what I needed to have, he showed me a blue sedan, I drove it, I signed for it, and I took it home, leaving the VW behind. I didn't expect to go as quickly, but I guess once they have you on the hook, they don't want you to have a chance to back out. I hope this car becomes as good a friend to me as the VW was.

In other interesting events:

I attended a noontime lecture at City Hall. Because it was almost the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, the focus of the lecture was on WWII. One of the prime participants in having the City of Savannah B-17 bomber moved to The Mighty 8^th Museum, and involved in the restoration, talked about the plane and the process of getting her to the museum, and then getting her ready to display. There was also a brief biography about the first person from Savannah to die in the war. 21-year-old George Gannam died at Pearl Harbor. 

I went to a lecture at the Jepson that wasn't exactly what I thought it was going to be. It was advertised as a talk about photography and what the pictures of Civil Rights protests tell us about the times. But, it was maybe six pictures, and the speaker suggested that by altering the photos with enhancements such as cropping, the story can be changed. It was not what I expected, and didn't totally understand. There are many talks that I go to that I don't understand, so this wasn't unique. But I was a little disappointed.

I went to two movies and one play this week. I'd wanted to see Loving, but it was only showing at the cineplex out by the Savannah Mall. That made a good opportunity for me to drive the new car and try out some of the things I need to know – lights, wipers, MUSIC. I thought the movie was excellent – well written and wonderfully acted. On Saturday, I went to both the SCT performance of Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown – delightful, as always – and It's a Wonderful Life, the famous 1946 Christmas movie. It was shown at the Lucas, and the admission fee was a donation to the food pantry (which I forgot, so I gave a few dollars). I own that DVD, but it was nice to see it on the big screen, surrounded by lots of other people who enjoyed the movie. That gave me an opportunity to drive the car after dark. I'll get used to it someday, but I still miss not pushing in the clutch. 

My friend, Connie, hosted a surprised birthday party for her husband, Jim on Sunday morning. He was really surprised!

  

12/4/2016

Weekly Update 12/4//2016

I accomplished quite a lot this week.

Beginning on Monday, I did some walking this week. On Monday, I walked with Jane Lewis, from the Lunch Bunch. I connected with her at Thanksgiving, and we decided to walk at Daffin Park Monday morning. It was nice to chat with her, and, although I don't really want to go for walk, to be in Daffin Park again. I used to go there all the time when I first moved to Savannah, but haven't done that loop in over a year. Thursday, when my VW was at the spa for a treatment, I walked over to Oglethorpe Mall. That's pretty much my idea of hell – being at the mall for hours – but I didn't have any place else to wait for the more than half a day that it took them to check out the car. I did find a wonderful, soft, warm throw on sale at Steinmart that I just couldn't ignore. I take a nap nearly every day, so this will be great for the colder winter months in the condo. Saturday, Donna and I were downtown, and we walked a lot to see some of the holiday decorations. Unbelievably, I did not ache after all this exercise this week. 

Friday was a busy day. DH, of course, and the tours were large and filled with interested visitors. My tours lasted almost the entire hour because there were so many questions. I love it when people seem to listen and take in what I'm telling them! After that, was The 90. It was the customer appreciation Christmas party, when they set up a (free) tasty buffet in the bar area and we can all help ourselves to the marvelous hors d'oeuvres that Jim prepares. Everything was so good, and I wasn't surprised. I had to leave early because the Methodist Church on Wilmington Island was presenting a theatrical production, and my friend, Charles, was starring. The play was I Hate Hamlet, and it was very well done. My very good friend, Pat Hoffman, was remembered, and the play was dedicated to her. She began this group in 2010, and was the director and creative catalyst for the group until she became too ill. She died in September this year, and we all miss her so much. It was a wonderful tribute to her. I've been to plays at this church before, because of Pat and Charles, and always enjoyed them. One of the very nice things about the performances is that they are always preceded with cookies (baked by the church ladies – how great is that) and punch. So, although I was stuffed from eating at The 90, I was able to get a few good cookies down.

Charles, as John Barrymore in I Hate Hamlet

Saturday was busy as well. When I got up, I FINALLY finished decorating the condo. I'd put the nutcracker out earlier in the week, but just couldn't get motivated to finish everything. Well, what's the rush? - it's Dec 3rd! But because I had all the stuff thrown everywhere in the blue bedroom, I wanted to get it all organized and put the empty boxes back in the closet.

some of my nutcrackers

some of my decorations - this is my recliner where I spend a LOT of time. my new blanket is draped there, and my crossword puzzle book, ipad, and iphone are within easy reach

Audrey, dressed up as a Christmas tree

In the afternoon, I picked Donna up at the airport; she was returning from spending some time at Thanksgiving with her family in Boston and Maine. I'd missed her, and it was wonderful to see her walking down that long hall at the airport - you know, where us terrorists are not allowed to go. We didn't even go home, but instead went downtown. We saw the big tree on Bull Street, the lights along Broughton Street, and took the water taxi to the Westin to look at the Gingerbread display. I was a little fearful of the water taxi since the ramp collapsed a week or so ago, sending tourists into the cold Savannah River water. That taxi stop is now closed, so we needed to walk to the Waving Girl to be picked up there. The gingerbread was wonderful of course, but both Donna and I thought that there was not as many as there have been before.

gingerbread City Hall, Westin Hotel, and Talmadge Bridge

I liked this one, and so did the judges

not as many as other years,but still a lot, and all wonderful

We were still in the historic area when the DH party began, so we went there. The food there was amazing. Everyone was to bring something to share, and since I'm no expert in the kitchen, I contributed a bottle of wine. But what some of these other docents and patrons shared was amazing!

Sunday, I relaxed in the morning. It seemed to be a while since I've just been able to get leisurely out of bed, and then sit by my window with my coffee and do a crossword puzzle or play a computer game. It was delightful especially since I snuggled under my new blanket and was in the glow of Audrey. In the evening, Donna and I joined downstairs neighbors John and Dave for a drink before going to the Victorian Society Christmas party. I don't know why groups such as this schedule parties when they know the Bills are playing the late game, but they did. As much as I wanted to be at Coach's, this party is only once a year, and it's a chance to enjoy some friends that I would perhaps not see another time of year. It was very nice, too. Allen and I had bets on the game, since he's been a Raiders fan for a very long time. It seems that the Salvation Army Bucket in Savannah will be $20 richer, thanks to the Bills loss.

at the Victorian Society party